Fitness

I arrived in Berlin on the evening of Thursday 13th September – two days out from my first ever marathon. On Friday I walked the two miles from my hotel to the start line situated within Tiergarten park by the infamous Brandenburg gate. I wanted to know exactly where I was going on race day and start psyching myself up for the ever nearing 26.2 miles.
My coach, Jane Vongvorachoti, had advised me to save energy so after seeing the start area I caught a bike cab to save my legs, had a super healthy lunch at Avocai food and Pilates studio and then took a taxi to the expo.… Continue reading...

The Training
I gave myself about two months to train for Berlin marathon. It wasn’t enough but thankfully it got me through.
I was super eager to complete my first marathon. After getting injured following an online plan for London marathon earlier this year (please never rely on these because, for one thing, they are completely lacking in strength training and I’ve heard of so many people like me who got injured by following them), I had been successfully rebuilding my fitness levels but wanted expert guidance to optimise my preparation for Berlin.
My expert help came in the form of Jane Vongvorachoti, an olympic runner who also trains clients at Equinox London and lead the Equinox team through Boston marathon.… Continue reading...

Straight after I completed the Hawkes Bay 10K I caught a flight to Sydney still soaring on a high of endorphins. I felt like a live wire. So free and self-sufficient and energetic and excited and like nothing was holding me back. I was in my element. I was pursuing my passions, living in the moment and being completely true to myself in the most beautiful, wild places on the planet.
Life felt so good.
I should add, quickly, that this state is certainly not the norm for me. I’m generally an optimist but just like everyone else I have my shit storm days and I’ve certainly experienced adversity.… Continue reading...

My days in New Zealand were simple and very happy. The pace of life was slow and rich – a stark and welcomed contrast to the urban franticness that often characterises London life. I had time to stop and savour the sights of autumn. The leaves were beginning to fall in red and gold but the sky remained bright blue every single day, which emphasised all the colours even more. It felt like I was seeing everything with a microscopic lens. I hiked up hill-tops and met smiling Napier residents along the way. I read, wrote and listened to podcasts (Tim Ferris, Rich Roll, I do, Sam Harris are my current favourites and also Goop’s opener with Oprah is a must listen).… Continue reading...

At 6AM on May 5th I landed in Auckland, New Zealand for the first time. From the sky I’d got my first glimpse of the other-worldly Lord of the Rings land, all majestic green mountains and meandering rivers some several thousand feet below.
The grey skies and light rain which enveloped my landing signalled Autumn had arrived. Having come from the humidity of Hong Kong and Thailand I imagined I’d have to hot-foot it to buy a suitcase of cashmere. Sundresses and bikinis certainly wouldn’t suffice these new chillier temperatures. But then, just 30 minutes later the sun came out and melted the clouds away.… Continue reading...

En route to New Zealand I had one very special night at the spectacular The Siam Hotel. It is to Bangkok what The Eden Roc is to Antibes. The grounds extend three acres along the Chao Phraya River, (Thailand’s equivalent of the French Rivera) in Bangkok’s royal Dusit district. And you really do receive the royal treatment here with your very own Butler who will cater to your every desire.
Accommodation
The Art Deco inspired retreat, offers a spacious suites within the main hotel building, private pool villas (accommodates three) or even the century-old Connie’s Cottage which has been transformed form a traditional Thai teak house to a luxurious modern pool villa for two, whilst retaining it’s historical charm.… Continue reading...

I left the UK on 2nd May thinking I’d be gone 10 days. One month later and I’ve only just returned.
Last month I went to Heathrow and boarded a plane to Thailand. As you can see from my previous posts and Instagrams, I stayed at the out-of-this-world haven of health and tranquility – Chiva Som hotel in an effort to accelerate my recovery from a running injury, having had nearly seven weeks rest from my favourite sport. It’d taken me six weeks just to walk without pain. And I’d missed out on running The London Marathon which was hugely disheartening.… Continue reading...

If you follow me on Insta then you’ll know that I’m currently at the luxury international health resort Chiva Som, Thailand. You’ll also be aware that much to my dismay, I was forced to withdraw from last Sunday’s London Marathon due to an injury I sustained nearly two months ago. I travelled here to Chiva Som on Monday to get some expert advice on rehabilitation since after six and a half weeks I was still limping in pain (despite resting, strengthening and physio in London) and I was desperate to see improvement. When life gives you lemons…
Much to my relief I am feeling a marked improvement.… Continue reading...

Whilst I was training for the VLM I was super fortunate to get sent some gelpacks (compression wraps) to help my muscles recover and regenerate in between my runs. I want to tell you guys about these compression wraps because together with my physio, foam rolling, stretching and rehab exercises, I’ve used them a lot and they really do help in a number of ways which I’ll explain below. Even if you’re not a runner – you can use them after strength and conditioning training, skiing, hiking – basically any activity that’s challenged your legs!
So what is this particular compression wrap and how does it aid recovery? … Continue reading...